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Facial Eczema Risk Bulletin

Welcome to our Facial Eczema Spore Count Bulletin for 2026 – this article will be updated each week, so please revisit to see what the spore count is in your area.

Facial Eczema Spore counts 32 January 2026
  Feilding Awapuni Tararua Taumarunui Levin
No. of sites monitored: 9 7 8 2 10
Average Spore Count 0 5,000 5,000 0 5,000
Highest Spore Count: 5,000 20,000 10,000 0 20,000
Lowest Spore Count: 0 0 0 0 0
Facial Eczema Risk Rating (Based on average spore count) LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW

Please Note: a ‘0’ count indicates that there were no spores found in the sample. If a sample isn’t taken that week, this is indicated by a dash or ‘no sample’. 

What is a toxic spore level? It is best not to use absolute levels, as stock grazing pasture with spore counts as low as 20,000-40,000 can sustain liver damage. More important considerations are rate of spore count rise, prevailing weather conditions, and grazing intensity at the time. Toxin effects on the liver are cumulative. Play it safe – start prevention as soon as spores are detected.

The spore count risk in all areas is LOW.

There are a few hot spots beginning to show – the Ohau site in Levin has moved from 15,000 to 20,000 and animals grazing pasture at these levels should have zinc in place to protect the liver.

Zinc at low levels in water or on feed should be lifted and boluses should be administered if not already done.

There has been considerable rainfall in some areas but rain does not wash away risk. If a spore base exists and the temperature is warm an explosive event can occur.

Ingestion of spores by stock grazing low enough can result in severe liver damage, immediate production decline, delayed (10-14 days later) photosensitisation. Longer term, though, the FE risk may have decreased because such rainfall may have kick-started autumn pasture growth.

Read the bulletin in pdf here

Spore counting is $37 (incl GST) per sample, dropping to $30 for multiple samples. For instructions on how to cut grass see HERE 

  • Alpacas – Alpacas are affected by facial eczema at low counts of 10,000 and should be protected in all areas.
  • Bolusing or oral drenching – Due to the cumulative effect of spores on the liver even areas with low counts should consider zinc protection.
  • Water dosing (cattle) – All sites that have started their zinc should continue according to their treatment plan. Look to increase every 5-7 days by a quarter. Avoid increasing the amount on very hot days. Commercial properties at all other sites should consider doing pre-zinc blood tests, if not already been done, before spore counts rise.
  • Pasture spraying – This needs to be carried out early, before the counts rise. It is best to bring in some grass to see what your counts are doing on your farm. The spray will slow the development of the fungus but must be done before the counts reach 20,000. Pasture needs to be green and growing. Pasture will be safe for 4-6 weeks after.
  • Feeding a crop – Crops are generally lower in spore counts.
  • Breeding – Facial eczema tolerance can be selected for using rams or bulls. These tolerant animals can then leave progeny with some tolerance to facial eczema. This is a long-term plan.

 

Click here for further advice on facial eczema prevention.

If you have any questions pop into the clinic or give us a call on 06 368 2891 (Extension 1 for the farm team)